WASHINGTON -- Former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb is abandoning his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, potentially to instead run as an independent.
"I fully accept that my views on many issues are not compatible with the power structure and the nominating base of the Democratic party," Webb said during a speech at the National Press Club in Washington. "For this reason I am withdrawing from any consideration of being the Democratic Party’s nominee for the presidency.”
Webb said that he was thinking about "all options" and that an independent run would depend on the support he receives in the next few weeks. However, he acknowledged the difficulties of running -- and winning -- as an independent, saying that such campaigns "top out around 20% historically."
As best I can tell, Jim Webb's presser to drop out today is his first public campaign event (besides the debate) in the month of October— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) October 20, 2015
In his speech, Webb expressed frustration with the state of today's politics, saying that political candidates are "being pulled to the extremes."
"Americans don't like the extremes to which both parties have moved in recent years, and I don't blame them" Webb said.
While Webb, a former Navy secretary and author who was once a Republican, said he is considering an independent campaign, he would not say whether he still considers himself a Democrat.
"We'll think about that," he told reporters.
Webb also said he did not see himself endorsing another candidate, Democrat or Republican.
"I don't see myself endorsing anyone," he said.
After the first Democratic primary debate in Las Vegas, Webb said that he had not been given enough time to speak, adding that the debate was "rigged."
"It was rigged in terms of who was going to get time on the floor," Webb said during a forum at the Council on Foreign Relations. "It’s very difficult to win a debate if you don’t get the opportunity to speak."
Jim Webb dropping out to not spend any more time w/ the enemy soldier that threw the grenade that wounded him b/c he's not around right now— Josh Eidelson (@josheidelson) October 20, 2015
Webb's most memorable moment during that debate was when he bragged about killing an enemy as a Marine in Vietnam.